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A POPULAR brewery that has gone into administration is attracted a lot of attention for outside buyers.

As reported by The News, Oakleaf Brewery, in Gosport, was forced to go into administration last month after 16 years.

‘We’ve had a lot of interest in the business so far and we expect a deal to be announced in about a weeks time.’

Steve Godwin

Portland Business & Financial Solutions, based in Fareham, have been appointed administrators and say there has been plenty of interest in companies taking over Oakleaf.

Administrator Carl Faulds said: ‘As administrators, we expect to be able to sell the business to preserve the heritage. As a result there is a good opportunity for investors or other brewers to acquire an established business in a thriving and fashionable industry.’

Director of Portland Steve Godwin added: ‘We’ve had a lot of interest in the business so far and we expect a deal to be announced in about a week’s time.

‘We’re not sure who will buy it and we would like for it to stay in the local area.

‘Oakleaf is a good business to invest in. They have a lot of good recipes and it is a beer that is well liked.’

Oakleaf took over The Florist pub, in Fratton, last year. It was temporarily closed down, but reopened again last Friday. No-one from Oakleaf or The Florist was able to comment while proceedings are ongoing.

There is a possibility that Oakleaf will be moved out of Gosport and will leave pubs short of being able to stock local beers.

Councillor Rob Hylands, landlord of The Foresters Arms, in Ann’s Hill Road, said: ‘We’ve had no problems stocking Oakleaf since they went into administration.

‘I will still try to buy a beer as local as possible but it is difficult because I have to buy what is on the list from the suppliers.’

The rise of microbreweries was the reason why Oakleaf was forced into administration, despite being one of the most popular beers sold in the Solent area and winning several awards.